(A) As used in this section, "registration information" means information in license plate applications on file with the bureau of motor vehicles.

(B) The director of public safety may advertise for and accept sealed bids for the preparation of lists containing registration information in such form as the director authorizes. Where the expenditure is more than five hundred dollars, the director shall give notice to bidders as provided in section 5513.01 of the Revised Code as for purchases by the department of transportation. The notice shall include the latest date, as determined by the director, on which bids will be accepted and the date, also determined by the director, on which bids will be opened by the director at the central office of the department of public safety. The contract to prepare the list shall be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in accordance with section 9.312 of the Revised Code, provided there is compliance with the specifications. Such contract shall not extend beyond twenty-four consecutive registration periods as provided in section 4503.101 of the Revised Code. The successful bidder shall furnish without charge a complete list to the bureau of motor vehicles, and shall also furnish without charge to the county sheriffs or chiefs of police in cities, at such times and in such manner as the director determines necessary, lists of registration information for the county in which they are situated. The registrar shall provide to the successful bidder all necessary information for the preparation of such lists.

The registrar, upon application of any person and payment of the proper fee, may search the records of the bureau and furnish reports of those records under the signature of the registrar.

(C) The registrar shall charge and collect a fee of five dollars for each search of the records and report of those records furnished under the signature and seal of the registrar. A copy of any such report is prima-facie evidence of the facts therein stated, in any court.

The registrar shall receive these fees and deposit each such fee into the state treasury to the credit of the public safety - highway purposes fund established in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 26, §101.01, eff. 6/30/2017; however, the modifications to provisions of law requiring the deposit of funds into the Public Safety - Highway Purposes Fund that are made in this section shall take effect not earlier than July 1, 2017.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 53, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2015.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.9, HB 2, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2009.

Effective Date: 03-04-1998; 07-01-2005